Live Lynnettehttp://www.livelynnette.com
Plant-Based Recipes + LifestyeThu, 15 Nov 2018 03:53:47 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9http://www.livelynnette.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cropped-Live-Social-Media-Logo-32x32.pngLive Lynnettehttp://www.livelynnette.com
323274605751Lynnette Sweats Part 2: The Saunahttp://www.livelynnette.com/sauna-101/
http://www.livelynnette.com/sauna-101/#respondThu, 15 Nov 2018 00:02:59 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=3139Hi My name is Lynnette and I’ve been a sauna enthusiast since age 12. Before yoga, surfing or any of the other (often weird) wellness roads I’ve traveled over the

]]>Hi My name is Lynnette and I’ve been a sauna enthusiast since age 12.

Before yoga, surfing or any of the other (often weird) wellness roads I’ve traveled over the years (Kambo, anyone?) I started with the sauna and it has been a mainstay in my self-care toolkit since. As the practice becomes more popular in the US, more research is being dedicated to scientifically proving what the ancients (and I) already knew – plus disproving one of the biggest benefits in the process.

As with most habits in life, I blame my parents for this (incredible, yet often inaccessible) practice. Growing up, the sauna was a sanctuary from the stress of our family life and of course the cold winters of Chicago. Thanks to their hands-off parenting style, they allowed my brother and I to roam free through the fancy gym, dodging the on-site day care in favor of tennis, rowing machines and ending in the sauna.

While “working-in sets” with people 3 times my age could be a bit strange in a gym intended for adults, sitting in a sauna was even stranger at times, with conversations spanning the more absurd when “grown folks” forgot a kid was in the room. Nevertheless that fly on the wall experience helped shape how I communicate and most importantly how comfortable I am with my body.

As I got older I became even more thankful for that experience as I realized how rare the sauna was in the USA yet so prevalent around the world. From the European mega city to the South American village, sweat culture is introduced at an early age, in various ways and continues to be a big part of everyday life.

Up until recently, most Americans saw “bathhouse culture” through the lens of pop culture; where business deals get made in crime films or more stereotypically where gay men get laid. Nevertheless both are accurate in real life (and throughout history) however not always the case (usually not).

History + Culture

Whether they call it a spa, sauna, sweat lodge, or bathhouse, there is no doubt that nearly every culture has its own way of using heat for relaxation, therapy and ritual.

Cultures on every continent unanimously recognize the healing quality of hot steam. steam-opening the pores and shedding off a few layers of skin makes frequent sauna users feel cleaner, healthier, more relaxed, and more capable of overcoming fear, stress, environment, and disease.

The oldest — and hottest — of these techniques is the sauna. Steam bathing is a truly ancient custom, dating back to the earliest nomadic tribes who happened across geothermal hot springs and steamy caverns.

Steam houses drew communities together to talk, laugh, cry, share food, resolve conflicts, and develop familial relationships with each other. African spas use local clays, oils, herbs, wood, and spring water to purge the body of its toxic load through hot mud baths and massages. Aboriginal Australians recognized that regular visits to sweat lodges, much like those built by the Native Americans, were an effective mental health treatment. In Korea, spas called jjimjilbang were designed to promote detoxification and provide medicinal care to the community. Japanese baths, or onsen, combine naturally occurring sulfur, magnesium, mineral hot springs, and pumice with fresh air to create a medicinal environment for whatever-ails-you.

In Europe, the Finnish have sat in saunas for as long as they’ve been a people. After stripping and exfoliating their skin, they proceeded to steam rooms, where charcoal smoke, hot rocks, and water combined in an unventilated hut. After enduring the heat as long as possible, they proceeded back into the cold, often throwing themselves into the snow. Today although the techniques are a bit different, nearly a third of all adults take them regularly.

Up through the Middle Ages, bathhouses were a catchall venue for every aspect of life in Europe where whole villages of common men, women and children would participate daily, holding birthing and marital ceremonies and ironically was also known to be a great place to meet prostitutes. After the Protestant Reformation however, most bathhouses were wiped out. Only the Finnish, Scandinavians and Russians held tight to their traditions.

Today the United States, with ancient self care techniques on the rise, sauna culture is growing with over one million saunas in use.

How Saunas Work

The modern sauna is a simple unpainted room with wooden walls and benches. A rock-filled electric heater keeps the temperature at about 90° at floor level and boosts it to about 185° at the top. Unlike Turkish baths, Finnish saunas are very dry. Humidity levels are just 10% to 20%. Water drains through the floor to keep things dry.

The Science of Sweat

The skin is our largest organ and what better way to maintain it by sweating it out in a sauna, right?

Apparently not.

Although the idea of saunas have always been seen to be a way of purging toxicants, recent research reveals its not as much as we thought. A recent study in Environmental International explains that because the chemicals we consider as “toxic” are attracted to fat, they don’t dissolve well in sweat, which is mostly made of water.

Oh well….nevertheless, there is a (very) small amount that does get purged, luckily there are a few more ways that it has proven to be useful.

First up, the skin. A 2008 study in the Journal of Dermatology suggested that regular sauna usage has a protective effect on skin functions and may help with dry skin conditions. (Bonus points for exfoliating after.) Saunas also help with better breathing. It’s dry heat can also open up clogged respiratory passages, improve your lung function, even if you have asthma or chronic breathing problems, and reduce your risk of contracting a cold or pneumonia if you have them regularly in winter. It can also help to reduce inflammation in the blood, helping to soothe chronic conditions.

The sauna may also help you live longer. A study of 2,300 Finnish men over 20 years found that, over the course of the study, 49 percent of once-weekly sauna takers passed away, compared with 38 percent of twice-weekly users and 31 percent of men who went nearly every day. Scientists also believe the social aspects of sauna culture also help with this. Part of this, the scientists behind the study say, is that saunas are often done communally, and help you bond with other people, which has confirmed health benefits of it’s own.

Although the study was only men, women who use saunas can greatly alleviate menstrual cramps and various soft tissue, muscle and joint pains. I can attest to this one, by the way!

Sweat Styles

Sauna styles run the gamut, from backyard hovels in the woods to just about the ritziest spas imaginable.

Maximum occupancy can range from a single bather to the entire Swiss men’s national ice hockey team. In Finland, where saunas are integral to daily life, it’s customary to bring portable, folding saunas on camping trips. The soldier’s life isn’t complete without one either. When the Finnish army sent troops to help restore war-torn Kosovo, the army made sure to construct 20 saunas for its 800-troop contingency. Even Finnish prisons offer sauna privileges to inmates.

Los Angeles alone boasts countless “sweat centers” from infrared (we love Sweat Theory) to the classic bathhouse to the oh so amazing Korean spa (we love Wi Spa). If you are looking for more of a psychoactive element, Mexican temazcal sweat lodge sessions are offered in the surrounding desert and mountain communities. But if you’re looking for a simple cleansing sweat, look no further than your nearby gym or spa or even consider a portable unit in your home.

If none of those options work, traveling is one of the best times to find the perfect place. While traveling, I seek sauna access above the gym, as it can boost immunity levels (and is a great way to meet new people if you’re traveling alone).

Infared

Instead of the traditional hot stones, this sauna directly heats bathers with infrared light. Infrared enthusiasts believe that this method provides a superior sauna experience since the infrared radiation penetrates deeper into bone and muscle tissue. They also argue that a session of infrared imparts all the beneficial aspects of sunlight, only without all the blisters and skin cancer.

Korean

In addition to the sauna, Korean spas are are known for providing cutting-edge health treatments through medicinal herbs, acupuncture, ice rooms and other healing modalities. Plus they are often open 24/7 with restaurants and theatres inside!

Temazcal

A temazcal is a traditional Mexican steam bath that is in many ways similar to the Native American sweat lodge. Besides promoting physical well-being and healing, the temazcal is also a ritual and spiritual practice in which traditional healing methods are used to encourage reflection and introspection. Technically the word temazcal is Aztec, not Mayan. However, ancient Mayan athletes, priests and kings regularly engaged in these sweaty detox sessions and took hallucinogenic drugs such as peyote to further enhance the experience.

Home Units

From Costco to Craigslist, there are a number of places that offer sauna units for the home. To get a good handle on what’s out there start with of Saunas.com, of course.

Sauna Boosters

Although every culture has always had ways to enhance sauna sessions (Russian self-flagellation, anyone?) one of the biggest benefits to recent research is the discovery of new ways. Below is a new and an old method, with some of them more scientifically sound than others, so stay mindful!

Supplements

Recent research suggests that the consumption of activated charcoal can help absorb toxicants that are being released inside the body.

Exfoliation

An oldie but goodie, brushing does a body good by aiding in circulation. Be sure to use natural bristles, don’t forget the soles of the feet and always brush toward the heart.

Precautions

Ironically, sweating can actually backfire if you don’t remain properly hydrated. The kidneys need water to function, and your water-based urine is the vehicle by which substances such as urea leave your body. Rob your body of too much water and you could wind up impairing your core detox systems. It goes without saying that consuming alcohol before or shortly after isnt a good idea. Also, don’t overdo it; 15 to 20 minutes of a sauna is a reasonable time limit for most.

The following folks are generally advised to avoid saunas.

Individuals with weakened immune systems

Individuals with pneumonia or other acute respiratory diseases

Individuals with heart conditions or high blood pressure

Small children

Pregnant women

Sweat Culture

Obviously, for a comfortable, effective sauna experience, you’ll need to be as naked as possible. From there, everything breaks down into whatever the accepted local sauna culture happens to be. If you’re planning to break a sweat in a U.S. sauna, then you’re probably going to have to cover up.

Everywhere else covering up with a towel is fine, but many establishments will frown on the wearing of shorts or even swimwear for hygienic reasons. In Finland, for instance, you’ll find both mixed-sex and single-sex nude saunas. Germany, Austria, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe generally offer nude, mixed-company bathing. Russian banyas and South Korean jjimjilbangs are both traditionally gender-separated, but usually quite nude as well. Other countries, such as France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom tend to offer same-sex facilities and are perfectly fine with nudity.

Beyond the issue of nudity, also keep in mind that many cultures frown on talking in the sauna or bringing in outside items such as books, phones or food. There’s often additional etiquette surrounding when to pour water on the rocks, as well as when to enter or exit the sauna.

Fun Fact

Just how much sauna can a certified world champion take? Well, in August 2009, Finland’s Timo Kaukonen won the men’s world championship by withstanding sweltering 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110 degrees Celsius) for 3 minutes and 46 seconds.

I’m excited to start this series off on the road which is when my diet most imbalanced. (but still far from unhealthy). For me that means more inorganic produce, animal products, artificial sugars and processed foods than normal. Eating while traveling has two sides; while enjoying the local flavor can be fun, the potential effects afterwards may not be. For me that included a major skin breakout and other bodily oddities that I won’t mention. Side-note, the air and water is likely to blame too. #itsallconnected

Anywho, if you’ve spoken with me or attended one of my Superfood School events then you’ve heard me stress the importance of maintaining a whole-food, plant-based kitchen in your home. It’s a helpful tactic for when you are out and don’t have as much as control on where your food comes from.

For all of the “junk food” this week, I had just as much fresh fruits and vegetables, in fact I lucked out and arrived just in time to take advantage of my family’s garden.

Check out this space in the coming weeks as I will be updating this page with more entries as well as recipes. Also be sure to follow me on Instagram for more food-spiraton.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/july-food-journal/feed/03070Winter Solstice Yoga with Anna Cantwellhttp://www.livelynnette.com/winter-solstice-yoga-anna-cantwell/
http://www.livelynnette.com/winter-solstice-yoga-anna-cantwell/#respondFri, 22 Dec 2017 20:05:31 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=3043Yesterday’s yoga session changed me and I did not set out to be changed…but I guess thats the way it goes. To top it off, it was the winter solstice,

]]>Yesterday’s yoga session changed me and I did not set out to be changed…but I guess thats the way it goes.

To top it off, it was the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, the turning point where we begin to get more sun again. Any type of natural event like this is powerful for all of us regardless if you recognize it.

Throughout history, celebrating the solstice has been a way to renew our connection with each other through acts of goodwill, special rituals, and heightened awareness.

Despite all of this knowledge, I almost forgot, leading up to the day I thought about it a few times but when it arrived I was of course distracted.

Although it may appear that I am a yoga expert or something, I am far from it. I just know that stretching is important and that’s what yoga essentially is… so I do it. I only know a few names of the poses and that’s only because they are the easiest, shivasana or from this one song of Lupe Fiasco’s “Adoration of the Magi” that names a bunch of them out.

Anywhoo, yogi homie Anna Cantwell, AKA @yog_anna invited me for a private session. We’d worked together a few weeks prior at one of my Yoga + Brunch Workshops and became a fan after attending one of her Cannabis Yoga sessions.

In retrospect my location choice, Venice Beach was not the best idea; it was literally the first day of winter and for LA standards it was cold (59F) and for LA (Lynnette Astaire) standards it was freezing.

And I chose to wear nothing but shorts and a sports bra.

And I’m ALWAYS cold…unless it’s hot.

And I am usually distracted.

I’m rarely completely focused on one thing. To be honest it borders ADD proportions. There is always a voice inside or a distraction outside that I allow (unfortunately) to creep in.

Plus I was pretty hungry.

But yesterday, no one existed, the apple I forgot to bring was forgotten and my half naked body somehow was warmed while the world around me was fully clothed, even the surfers in wetsuits.

And I don’t even remember the music. And I always remember the music.

So was yesterday true yoga? Is that what its really about? Working through your discomfort and distractions?

Whatever it was I have definitely gained a new fascination with growth, development and most importantly…

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/winter-solstice-yoga-anna-cantwell/feed/03043Superfood Sweet Potatoeshttp://www.livelynnette.com/superfood-sweet-potatoes/
http://www.livelynnette.com/superfood-sweet-potatoes/#respondThu, 23 Nov 2017 00:51:23 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=3027I made these potatoes for this Sunday’s Femme Appetit Dinner in LA and the ladies went crazy. It’s just a healthified version of my mothers classic. Simply steam the potatoes

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/superfood-sweet-potatoes/feed/030275 Foods to Fly Withhttp://www.livelynnette.com/5-foods-fly/
http://www.livelynnette.com/5-foods-fly/#respondWed, 22 Nov 2017 10:11:54 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=3017Looking for healthy food while flying has never been easy. These days a few airlines have expanded their menu with healthy bites but most of it is still a no

]]>Looking for healthy food while flying has never been easy. These days a few airlines have expanded their menu with healthy bites but most of it is still a no eat zone. On shorter flights it’s easy to eat a big bon voyage meal ahead of time, but longer flights require a little strategy.

When it comes to packing food for a flight, leaving from home is easiest (leftovers anyone?), leaving from someone else home is second easiest and leaving from a hotel can be tricky (but still doable). Here are a few recipes and tricks that work no matter where you’re leaving from.

#1 IMMUNI-TEA

If you’re going to pack anything, let it be fresh ginger and lemon/lime to chop up for hot tea. Airplanes are notoriously cold and full of germs and believe me, whatever teabag your flight is offering pales in comparison to this brew. Lemon and limes are some of the richest sources of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C and ginger is excellent for motion sickness and digestion. This mix is guaranteed to keep your immune system up because it’s nothing worse than arriving sick.

#2 PROTEIN POWER

Upgrade your smoothie bought at the gate with spirulina powder. Each 2tb serving has 8g of protein and 50% of the DRV of iron. Iron helps to prevent oxygen deprivation throughout the body. This powder travels well so pack extra so you’re already prepared at your destination. Be sure to mix well.

#3 FLIGHT MIX

What’s a trail without a trail mix? Trail mixes are easy to transport, nutritious, tasty and most of all filling. Carbs, Protein and (healthy) Fats are all covered in a simple mix of peanut, raisin and dried coconut. Throw in a little dark chocolate for a healthy tropical Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

#4 FRUIT 2 GO

Fresh fruits and veggies are a must but are bound to get bumped and bruised in transit. Choose more durable produce, preferably with an edible skin for easy cleanup. Avocado (good fat), apple (fiber) and banana (potassium, b-6) do well.

#5 UPGRADE YOUR SALAD

Rice, beans, quinoa and grilled meat are easy add-ins to a premade salad bought at the gate or on the plane. Just fill in a zip lock bag and you’ve got yourself an instant protein and carb boost. Pack your dressings like your lotion, 3.4oz or less and you’re good. I’m all about ranch dressing so my homemade mix is always on deck. Check out the easy and healthy recipe here.

#6 STAYING HYDRATED

Flying can be pretty drying so it’s recommended to drink at least 8oz of water for every hour of flight time. You can buy an overpriced bottle at the gate or bring an empty 1.5L bottle through security to fill up past security.

Airplane hot water is actually pretty gross as well so it’s best to travel with a thermos, Fill your thermos with hot water at one of the cafes for free. Starbucks has reverse osmosis water which is a huge plus. I prefer that over some bottled water.

Extras
Nuts + Seeds + Dried Fruit

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/3-breakfast-bowls-try/feed/03004Juice Barshttp://www.livelynnette.com/juice-bars/
http://www.livelynnette.com/juice-bars/#respondThu, 21 Sep 2017 10:01:38 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2991Don’t see your city? Check the closest location so that you can compare it to your local juicers — or shoot me an email to a menu and I’ll help

Check the closest location so that you can compare it to your local juicers — or shoot me an email to a menu and I’ll help you find the best juice!

You can also leave a link to you local juice spot in the comments below to help spread the word to others. Help this list grow!

Ideally your juices should be organic and raw/cold pressed, especially when fasting, only the best should be reaching your belly to help it do it’s job.

Compromising on cold pressed gets you a less nutritious juice that has been zapped by pasteurization.

Overlooking the organic gets you potential pesticides.

The next most important thing when juicing on the go is sugar. Once you disrupt that balance it can be hard to keep going. The mental ties to sugar are heavy!

Although apple is definitely sugary, it is the most common fruit you will find in green juices. However, pineapple is a problem as its much sweeter, try to avoid these types of green juices on the fast.

As the price of your juice lowers, these are the qualities that can be affected.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/juice-bars/feed/02991Tahini Fig (Newton) Smoothiehttp://www.livelynnette.com/tahini-fig-newton-smoothie/
http://www.livelynnette.com/tahini-fig-newton-smoothie/#respondWed, 06 Sep 2017 17:01:57 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2974What can I say? It’s fig season, so a fig smoothie must be made. This recipe is of course inspired by the “Fig Newton” cookie of which I’ve already made

This recipe is of course inspired by the “Fig Newton” cookie of which I’ve already made a recipe for as the4 ingredient fig bar.

Although there are more than 150 varieties of figs, you’ll likely come across 3-5, of which Black Mission is most popular. More on fig varieshere.

Because figs are so delicate and perishable, most figs are dried (often by the sun). Dried figs don’t really work for a fig smoothie although if you soak them, it can, it will just be a different flavor profile. Remember to keep your peel intact, like as in most cases they contain nutrients.

Besides their potassium and fiber content, figs are a good source of the trace mineral manganese.

Tahini can be used in place of Almond butter but the sesame does good in this fig smoothie. Unhulled tahini is best as it’s made from the whole sesame seed, leaving its nutritional value intact. Hulled tahini is stripped of many of its nutrients, such as iron.

]]>Individual jackfruit can grow up to 100 pounds—it’s the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. It’s popularity is even larger since it’s recent “debut” to the mainstream food world. Jackfruit has obviously been around way longer, feeding all of India, where the fruit originates.

Nutritionally jackfruit is pretty powerful and due it’s to low acidity, it is the only fruit that can replace regular carbohydrates such as wheat and rice in full or in part.

Similar to hearts of palm or even artichoke hearts, jackfruit’s chunky texture is GREAT as a substitution for pulled pork, chopped chicken breast or even sloppy Joe’s.

Because of the size, most jackfruit is sold conveniently canned or packaged in some other form like dehydrated or frozen. The actually fruit however can be found in most international groceries and health-centric shops with a good produce selection.

Although I love jackfruit in any form, (including this taco recipe) my favorite combination is with chickpeas to make a savory stew. I call it Jack + Chick.

This recipe is a savory and smoky take on curry with smoked sea salt and sun-dried tomatoes to add extra umami.

7. Stir in curry powder and optional sweetener, cover and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes.

8. Finish with smoked sea salt (regular salt ok, you just will miss some flavor).

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/jack-chick-smoked-curry-jackfruit/feed/02961Stuffed Shroomshttp://www.livelynnette.com/stuffed-shrooms/
http://www.livelynnette.com/stuffed-shrooms/#respondSun, 06 Aug 2017 08:26:37 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2949This stuffed mushroom recipe was popular this week to say the least, and what I mean by that is that an usually high number of people “promised” to make it.

]]>This stuffed mushroom recipe was popular this week to say the least, and what I mean by that is that an usually high number of people “promised” to make it. In this insta-world age of likes, it’s the most that we can expect, LOL.

For this dish 2 different mushrooms recipes were adapted from Penni Shelton’s book Raw Food Cleanse. It’s been a few new discoveries in the world of food since the book’s 2010 publishing so a few updates were done but nothing major.

Although the original recipe and my recipe calls for some time in the dehydrator, this is completely optional. I also enjoy it room temperature over mixed greens. In colder climates, it can also be warmed up in the oven for a few minutes but as always keep in mind the nutrients that are lost from high heat.

Stuffed Shrooms + Savory Greens

Whisk to combine ingredients. Place mushrooms in a shallow container with a cover. Add marinade, cover and shake. Allow to sit for an hour to overnight, shaking every so often (if possible) to keep caps coated. Use any remaining mushroom marinade to dress a salad of spinach, arugula or other light greens (kale doesn’t work well with this dish).

The dressing also keeps in the fridge for about a week.

Stuffing

Place all ingredients, minus tomato in a food processor and pulse to chop, then add tomato, pulse again until just blended, pesto style (not purée). Stuff filling into mushroom caps and serve. For an even better flavor heat in dehydrator for 2 hours at 115F to allow flavors to combine and warm. Although you will lose certain nutrients and flavors through high heat, you may also heat in the oven for 10 minutes wrapped in foil.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/stuffed-shrooms/feed/029494 Plant-Based Milks to Tryhttp://www.livelynnette.com/4-plant-based-milks-try/
http://www.livelynnette.com/4-plant-based-milks-try/#respondSun, 30 Jul 2017 21:26:14 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2937Although it’s the easiest thing to make and super beneficial, most people do not make their milk from scratch. Half of the time I don’t. The reasons range from being out

]]>Although it’s the easiest thing to make and super beneficial, most people do not make their milk from scratch.

Half of the time I don’t. The reasons range from being out of nuts/seeds to recipe building, since most people are likely going to use packaged milk. Likely almond.

Despite the widespread reports that there are less than 2% of actual almonds per carton of milk, it is still one of the top plant-based milks on the market. I’m sure most people figure regardless what’s not in it, it’s better than drinking dairy.

Unfortunately that includes synthetic vitamins that include calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate, along with vitamin A acetate, vitamin D2, L-selenomethionine, zinc oxide, folic acid, and vitamin B12 added to mimic the nutrient profile of cow’s milk — which are unnecessary if you’re eating a wholesome diet rich in real, nutrient-dense food.

Apart from nutrition, taste and texture are just as important when it comes to plant-based dairy products. I’ve tried milk on almost every continent at some point during my life and it’s generally been the same: thick, creamy and a bit sweet. I can’t say the same about plant-milks. With the exception of soy, plant-based milk is pretty new product so it’s understood that the quality and consistency runs the gamut.

From hemp (my personal fave, requires a post of its own LOL) to pea, plant-based milks are popping up everywhere. Regardless of what kind to use, there are so many different uses for milk; to drink, to cook…some people use it just to wet their cereal and nothing more.

Here is a recent round-up of new and old brands on the market and what works best for what.

So Delicious Organic Coconut Milk, Unsweetened

The taste is great but the potential problem here is texture, which is similar to the consistency of skim/low fat milk. This is not a problem in my opinion for granola or smoothies but if you are making a sauce or soup, stick to coconut cream. Consider this is more of a “beverage” than milk.

Ripple

Taste-wise, the company says their patented Ripptein process “strips out the flavor of plant material and leaves almost purely protein, so its milk product doesn’t taste like peas.” Ok so it ends up tasting like something else then, a flavor that I have never experienced before, which is hard to describe, not good, not bad, just different. It’s also not organic.

Nevertheless, it’s nut-free, one glass boasts 8g of protein, zero sugar and 45% of the RDV of calcium, which is always debatable but impressive nonetheless. This is great for the very active and people looking to optimize every aspect of their meals.

Good Karma Flax Milk, Original

Taste-wise, this was my favorite although the “original” is automatically vanilla flavored which is bothersome because that automatically dictates how I can use it. The other bothersome thing is the phytoestrogens issue which plagues soy, so men, this may not be the milk for you.

Nevertheless the protein count is good, with 5g per glass and the source is pea.

Califa Farms Almond Milk, Original

The label boasts carrageenan- free which is great given all the controversy surrounding the additive. It looks like they’ve added oat fiber instead to thicken it which gives it a nice texture. Taste-wise it’s mild and not too overwhelming. Out of the four listed, this would be my first choice if I wanted a glass of cold milk with a rich dessert.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/4-plant-based-milks-try/feed/02937#femmeappetit gets SAUCED!http://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-gets-sauced/
http://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-gets-sauced/#respondFri, 28 Jul 2017 05:19:04 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2907I’m back for #femmeappetit, this time as a co-host. The format was the same, a group of great women get together and get down in the kitchen. This month’s “conscious

The format was the same, a group of great women get together and get down in the kitchen. This month’s “conscious dining experience” landed on a new moon, making the vibes even better.

Instead of staying in one group, as a host I hopped around, lending a hand to some of the less kitchen confident. One group I ended up helping more than the others which resulted in another amazing avocado sauce, (see last month’s sweet mustard sauce) this time one of my most popular recipes, Asian Sesame Noodles which from my Superfood School online cooking school.

The dish was a smash and the group was happy with a new recipe that they can add to their repotiore with a few simple ingredients and no equipment! Learn more about Superfood School and the Femme Appetit dinner series by clicking the links.

View of Downtown LA from our host venue and photographer, The Local Skill, an LA/NY based creative wellness collective.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-gets-sauced/feed/02907The Sacred Space Shallot Saucehttp://www.livelynnette.com/sacred-space-shallot-sauce/
http://www.livelynnette.com/sacred-space-shallot-sauce/#respondWed, 26 Jul 2017 23:14:09 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2877I’m sure the ladies of the Sacred Space retreat didnt plan on having a sauce named after them but they do. Every food event that I do brings forth a

]]>I’m sure the ladies of the Sacred Space retreat didnt plan on having a sauce named after them but they do.

Every food event that I do brings forth a new recipe or technique, born from some kind of chaos in the kitchen. This time it was the arugula cream…The greens were a bit too bitter and there was nothing I could do about it. Time was ticking and 12 women were ready to eat.

I was “way out” in Ojai, CA about 2 hours north of LA chefing the Sacred Space Retreat which brought together female business owners from around the USA to relax, recharge and refocus.

Including me – it was my first non-food or fitness retreat which meant all I had to do was cook, no teaching, no consulting, just deliver the goods. It was a vacation of sorts, I forgot how much of a mediation cooking can be.

After the arugula disaster broke my zen, improivsation kicked in, which is something that is an important skill no matter where you are and what you “do.” Things never go exactly the way that you expect.

And luckily I had backup, some leftover shallots and a can of hearts of palm that quickly blended into a creamy sauce, just right for the black beans and roasted root veggies.

Shallot Sauce

1 14oz jar/can Hearts of Palm

1 Shallot Bulb

1t Black Pepper

1t Olive Oil (water ok too)

Salt/Pepper

1. Peel shallots and cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch slices.

2. Heat oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add shallots.

3. Cook shallots until they begin to brown evenly, then turn heat down to low and continue to cook until very soft, about 10 minutes.

7. Return mixture to pan and heat on very low, stirring constantly making sure not to simmer or boil

8. Add salt and pepper to taste

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/sacred-space-shallot-sauce/feed/02877Lynnette Sweats Part 1: Mud Therapyhttp://www.livelynnette.com/mud-therapy-two-bunch-palms-springs/
http://www.livelynnette.com/mud-therapy-two-bunch-palms-springs/#respondTue, 11 Jul 2017 02:45:06 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2857At the end of the day, the quality of our food is determined by the quality of our soil, which of course is pretty bad due to poor farming, chemicals,

]]>At the end of the day, the quality of our food is determined by the quality of our soil, which of course is pretty bad due to poor farming, chemicals, etc…. So since our SKIN is our largest organ…why not lay in a pile of dirt and get all the minerals we need, right?

Up until this point, slathering myself with a badly mixed bowl of Bentonite Clay has been the extent of a mud therapy for me…

Although the end result was theee ultimate in self-care (downright sexual even…) the act of sitting in this MUD COFFIN was not quite pampering — especially since it slightly smelled like sulfur (AKA sh!t). The good news is that the rest of your body is so distracted with everything else going on it’s not that bad…..The bad news is that the first 5 minutes I was a “mannequin” and the last 15 a “mermaid”, which turned out to be the worst idea……

After 5 minutes of the weirdest “settling in” ever, I quickly went from just blinking to squishing the mud between my fingers to flailing around as best as I could, imagining how a fish out of water might feel (minus the whole breathing thing). Trying to move the body in something other than “normal” air and water was a completely different animal, literally.

Please don’t take this as a suggestion become a swamp thing — although I am sure there is some wacky Mud-Bath-Cardio workout somewhere for me to add to my list. Because of the heat it’s actually better to just sit still but since I have the maturity of a toddler I ended up moving myself right into a migraine that appeared later that night. Although my “mud master” Irene was dillegently feeding me water like a boxer in a ring (just with no arms), it was no match for the 105F desert heat…and my stupidity

After 20 minutes, the mud therapy is over. I ungracefully emerge but only after pushing pounds of sludge off my chest while at the same time trying not to touch the hot floor of the tub. Riveting stuff.

I’d never wanted a cold shower so bad in my life. I looove warm showers and unfortunately my skin is drier because of that. After I rinsed off I could definitely feel a difference in the texture. Smoother, softer, call me Satin baby! I couldn’t stop rubbing myself and two days later as I write this, I am still pretty impressed by the results.

If you have any skin issues mud therapy may be a great option. Although it’s best done on a regular basis, anytime under the dirt can be beneficial. Below are a few links to mud baths around the world and ways to do it at home.

Next stop, the Dead Sea.

Mud Therapy History

People have been taking mud baths since the beginning of time and at one point in time was the popular hang out spot. Members of the entire population – male and female, young and old, ill and healthy – would congregate, share lively conversation and immerse themselves in the mud.

Why Mud Therapy Works

Like most natural treatments, there isn’t a lot of research invested in definitive evidence but mud therapy is said to help improve skin conditions like psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea, eczema, acne and general inflammation.

Mud therapy also can help to dilute and absorb the toxic substances of body and ultimately eliminate them from body. In fact clay (a component of a mud bath) is often used internally for this purpose.

Mud from different parts of the world contain different combinations of properties but more than likely will include some or all of the following:

Mineral WaterClayPeat MossVolcanic Ash

Those properties will then include things like:

Zinc: The human body requires an adequate supply of zinc to heal inflammation.

How Mud Therapy Works

Sink: Immersion involves stepping into the tub and maneuvering the body into such a position that it is entirely covered in the substance. Remaining spots left untouched are covered by an attendant.

Sit: Your body will literally suspend itself in the thick mud (which is a bit over 100F); weightless, as your muscles relax.

Sleep: You may experience drowsiness and even drift off to sleep for a few moments during immersion due to the steamy and soothing properties.

Shower: This treatment is definitely different for the very hairy. Add on a few more minutes under the shower to rinse off.

Where to Have Mud Therapy

Two Bunch Palms in Palm Desert, CA is where I went – which is the oldest mineral spa in the country with breathtaking (I’m serious) views of the San Jacinto Mountains and runs on 100% SOLAR POWER. In fact, the property’s mud baths were made famous in a scene from the 1992’s The Player with Tim Robbins.

Can’t make it to Cali? Here are 13 more places around the world to get dirty.

Mud Therapy at Home

Can’t make it anywhere? As I mentioned in the beginning good old bentonite clay is what I normally use at home. Simply mix the clay well with equal parts (mineral if possible) water and rinse off. More info here.

Mud Therapy for Face:

I’ve been washing my face with Osea Ocean Cleansing Mudd for the past few months with this stuff and I love it. Tingly too, good for oily skin.

Mud Therapy for Hair:

Terresentials Organic makes a great mud shampoo that I have been using for over 10 years, I’m pretty sure it’s good for all hair types if it was able to work for me.

As with anything, mud therapy can cause problems for people with allergies, heart problems, immune disorders and other medical conditions.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/mud-therapy-two-bunch-palms-springs/feed/02857#femmeappetit + a sweet mustard recipehttp://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-sweet-mustard-recipe/
http://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-sweet-mustard-recipe/#respondWed, 28 Jun 2017 18:01:37 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2832Great things happen when you walk into a dinner where you don’t know anyone, and you’re the first guest to arrive. I found out about the #femmeappetit dinner through it’s

]]>Great things happen when you walk into a dinner where you don’t know anyone, and you’re the first guest to arrive. I found out about the #femmeappetit dinner through it’s co-founder Jackie Ho AKA @modelbaker on Instagram – who happens to be a model and a baker, who’s vegan + gluten free creations are decadent and delicious.

The dinner was also hosted by Kaitlin of Pulp Pantry (and fellow Chicagoan) and Shay of The Local Skill (and fellow former NY’er) and included a meditation led by Laurasia. All photos (c) thelocalskill

I guess I didn’t read the invite correctly because I was taken by surprise with the fact that me and like 20 other women were to share ONE kitchen and a table full of vegetables (provided by the awesome Imperfect Produce).

Most of my chef-ing experience is rooted in improvising on a day to day basis with whats available so I automatically got flashbacks of the confusion it can be with just 5 people…and then I remembered that this was not work, LOL.

We split up into 5 groups, grabbed some veggies and got to chopping, blending, sautéing… and for me whisking.

For most people the sauce is the hardest thing to make so I volunteered for my group – plus there were piles of avocados so it was as simple as making a quick cream sauce from my Superfood School program.

The best way to make a healthy sauce is with an avocado, it’s a whole food fat (meaning its not concentrated like oils) and its got a relatively mild taste that can take on any flavor and blend smooth into a sauce.

With the avocado as a fat, the mustard as a tangy acid plus a pinch of sweetener and salt I made a quick “honey” mustard sauce to mix into our shredded raw zucchini. For umami, we topped with a layer of sautéed leeks plus added red pepper for kick and the superfood turmeric for color.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/femmeappetit-sweet-mustard-recipe/feed/02832Meet My PT: “Marathon” John Burtonhttp://www.livelynnette.com/meet-pt-marathon-john-burton/
http://www.livelynnette.com/meet-pt-marathon-john-burton/#respondFri, 02 Jun 2017 17:32:11 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2815Meet my PT is a new series that features personal trainers from around the world Although I’ve always been in (and out of) fitness, I’ve never had the honor (and

]]>Meet my PT is a new series that features personal trainers from around the world

Although I’ve always been in (and out of) fitness, I’ve never had the honor (and exhausting task) of having a personal trainer. As a self starter-type who’s mostly used my diet to control my weight, I’ve always associated a personal trainer with serious training, serious weight loss, serious rehabilitation…or serious money.

With an average rate of $150 per hour I jumped (literally) at the invitation to do a free session with “Marathon” John Burton while visiting Chicago. I’d recently attended a group session at a “big box” gym in L.A that was so underwhelming that I forgot to pick up my “personalized workout.”

So, I was definitely ready to try 1 on 1 treatment.

John and I briefly met a few years back in Chicago (my hometown) under completely different circumstances but it wasn’t till now that we were authentically engaging, a phrase that popped up often throughout our session.

Like me, John had his fair share of the entertainment industry where inauthentic relationships are the norm. He started out in his early twenties working closely with major record labels such as; Kanye West’s GOOD Music, Warner Music Group, etc., and through a series of fortunate (and unfortunate) events found marathon running as his release.

Fast forward a few years later and John’s got a few 30k marathons under his belt while running his training program in one of the tallest buildings in the world.

We met on a rainy Friday at Precision Human Performance a private gym in Chicago’s West Loop. Educational and intimate are two words that came to mind when our session was over. I tried out a ton of new machines, learned a new push up technique and once and for all broke the squat myth. (FYI, there’s no “perfect stance”)

It was truly the first time I felt super accomplished after a workout. I most definitely felt “the burn” (for days after) but it was well earned.

When you work out alone, it’s so easy to sell yourself short by doing things like wimping out on your last set so for me accountability is the number one benefit of having a PT.

Here are a few more benefits from the man himself plus a few steps on finding the perfect PT.

Benefits to a PT

1. Accountability & Reinforcement.

2. An accurate course of direction when executing a proper training program.

3. A consistent resource (open lines of communication outside of the session).

Most important things when picking a PT

1. Certification: Is he or she certified to tell you anything related to fitness? This is pivotal because this will limit your chances of being exposed to injury.

2. Accountability: I hear stories all the time of clients feeling abandoned during the training program. From not having any guidance during the training program (i.e. no training program period (aka “a overpaid workout partner”), and a lack of access & attention from the trainer (i.e. they’re just burning through the session not caring about the client).

3. Presence: Are they present with you when they are in the moment with you? This is important because you should want someone that’s there with you mentally and physically when it comes to your health.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/meet-pt-marathon-john-burton/feed/02815OMG it Hapened: Plate Your Dream Chicagohttp://www.livelynnette.com/omg-hapened-plate-dream-chicago/
http://www.livelynnette.com/omg-hapened-plate-dream-chicago/#respondSun, 28 May 2017 18:04:57 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2782Wow. This dinner was a little-bit-of-a-long-time-coming with a serious side of synchronicity. So Kee Chan, a Chinese native trained in Japan and self titled Dark Chef invited me over a

]]>Wow. This dinner was a little-bit-of-a-long-time-coming with a serious side of synchronicity. So Kee Chan, a Chinese native trained in Japan and self titled Dark Chef invited me over a year ago to participate in Plate Your Dream, a dinner series that challenges a chef to imagine how they see the future of food in five years, in five courses.

I met him last year at his former resteraunt, Lure Izykaya, a crazy creative spot in Chicago’s Lincoln Park where I noshed on crazy creative dishes.

After showing him photos of the different coconut dishes I’d been working on over the years in Mexico and dropping off a few Superfood School dishes for him to try, we set a plan for me to have a night where I took over Lure.

And then it totally didn’t happen.

Lure closed and I went to LA, putting the whole coconut dinner idea in the “box of things that just didn’t work out.” Over the years I had become used to not every collaboration making it out of the gate. It was a part of business and really just a part of life.

The news of it not happening came a time when two other projects fell through, leaving me with not much to do when I returned to the U.S. Instead of crying I laughed because when things stack up like that, they are likely making room for something much bigger to fill it.

I let it go. COMPLETELY.

Instead of going to Chicago, I went to L.A first which turned out to be the best decision. I found a cool place, reconnected with cool friends and began the process of living in the Wellness Capital of the World, not to mention Hollywood.

Fast forward a few months, all settled into La La Land and I get message from Kee that the program was starting again.

He was working with Chef Patty Neuesom, of Herb, a Michelin Bib Gourmand Resteraunt that features a health conscious take on Thai that rotates with the seasons. Plus a garden in the back with root veggies and of course…herbs

I was in. Again.

And it happened. And it was great. And I am grateful.

Most days I’m more of an educator and entrepreneur than a “TOP CHEF” – so to have the opportunity to take over a Michelin Bib Gourmand ain’t too bad!

I’m originally from South Carolina so I grew up on serious BBQ Sauce. This plant-based version of my childhood fave is made with smoked paprika, nut butter and of course vinegar. Spread on a soaked collard and wrap with fresh veggies for Course 2, a Carolina BBQ Collard Wrap.

Salute to the chefs, cooks and the BOH (Back of House) staff who do this every single day – with way more heat -and way less patience.

With a “cook-less” menu and no animal fat in sight, the line cook had the night off and the dishwashers normally greasy job was happily cut in half.

Smiles all around.

Working with Tessa was another act of fate. After attending one of my events last year, she set out to Mexico, following the path of mangos and beach that I had unknowingly set forth for her in my talk. As a fellow art school grad, we formed a quick bond – plus she already knew how to work with coconuts

Here she is with the dish that started my coconut craze. Course 3 Coconut Curry Copycat Salad. Get the recipe here.

Since the stove was never used, we used the extra space to expo dishes. Course 4 is quickly becoming one of my signatures: the Asian Sesame Noodles, (get the recipe here). Plus a Coconut Sesame Toast that I created especially for this dinner.

Course 5, Cacao + Green tea await a coat of coconut butter…This is one of those recipes although I have a name for it (Choco Matcha Coco) – I doubt I’ll ever “finish” because of how versatile the ingredients are.

This time I used vanilla paste — last time vanilla powder. Last time fresh pressed cacao “smuggled” from Mexico and this time…with whatever was on sale at Whole Foods.

Experimentation is EVERYTHING, especially with dessert

Fin..till I do it again. Looking forward to more pop-ups in the future. Although I have worked in all facets of the resteraunt world, its not really on my radar. At the end of the day I didn’t get into this business to do this for YOU – I got into this business for YOU to do this for YOU.

Visit my meal planning program Superfood School to learn how to get more plants on your plate.

A special thank you to Adina Diaz of Natural Feeling Spa for hosting the first LA Superfood School – the day was a success! Please enjoy their recap of my demo and subscribe to their page for holistic beauty tips! Visit Natural Feeling Spa

At almost 20 minutes, this video is long by most standards BUT if you want a serious sneak peek into my workshops as well as some of my key techniques, like my 3S sauce system, zucchini noodles and how to master a collard wrap.

Need a summer jump start? As always, complimentary 20 min calls are available, see the bottom of this page to book a session.

]]>http://www.livelynnette.com/superfood-school-plant-based-workshop-may-2017/feed/02747The Dental Diet + How Many Teeth Do We Need?http://www.livelynnette.com/dental-diet-many-teeth-do-we-need/
http://www.livelynnette.com/dental-diet-many-teeth-do-we-need/#respondSun, 21 May 2017 23:20:11 +0000http://www.livelynnette.com/?p=2742Fun fact: People who have 25 or more teeth tend to eat more nutritiously. Why? The more “complete” your teeth are, the more you can effectively break down different fruit

]]>Fun fact: People who have 25 or more teeth tend to eat more nutritiously. Why? The more “complete” your teeth are, the more you can effectively break down different fruit and veggie textures. Among the 32 (we should all be born with) are are 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars (including 4 wisdom teeth). They all have slightly different functions so they are all important although it’s obviously possible to function with less.

But how much less?

According to Dr. Bryan Limmer:

Since “the vast majority of people in the United States have their 4 wisdom teeth (or 3rd Molars) extracted as teenagers, the average American [has] a complement of 28 teeth.”

[So] the short answer is no, not every tooth that is lost needs to be replaced. However, when a dentist sees a new patient with a number of missing teeth, it can be difficult to determine just how many that particular patient needs to feel that they can chew ‘better’. This is particularly challenging when one considers the cost of various prosthetic options.” (source)

So, that leaves most of us on average a total 3 teeth to “gamble” with throughout our adult lives.

Oh, and about those wisdom teeth:

Although formally known as third molars, the common name is wisdom teeth because they appear so late – much later than the other teeth, at an age where people are presumably “wiser” than as a child, when the other teeth erupt.The term probably came as a translation of the Latin dens sapientiae. Their eruption has been known to cause dental issues for centuries, it was noted at least as far back as Aristotle

Although I currently have all 32 teeth, that has not come without a scare or 2, including the common kid catastrophes plus a few “adult situations” such as several surfboards to the face, LOL.

My biggest tooth scare was when a skin medication started to strip the enamel off of my teeth. After the toxins in the air began to break out my skin while living in NYC during 9/11 I started to take an antibiotic. After a few months, I began to see little chips in my teeth. Although I immediately stopped the medication, my teeth have never really “recovered.”

So other than the above, I am in pretty good teeth shape and I brush them anywhere from 1-3 times a day.

Nevertheless, I’ve run a few tooth trials over the years, including oil pulling, the classic baking soda + peroxide and perhaps the oldest of them all, using a young branch from a neem tree as a toothbrush, Ayurveda style. (Awful tasting yet effective)

I recently took a visit to the dentist, for a check-up and a cleaning. I hadn’t been in a while so needless to say I was a little scared. No matter how much I take care of myself, there is always a sense of anxiety when I get checked out by an expert. They see things that the untrained eye may not.

What about them? Well according to Dr. Mario, we are consuming more toxins from the vegetables we eat than we ever would from the fillings. He told me not to worry about it – but I still am as I’ve heard too many conflicting stories. Watch this space as I to continue to do more research and feel free to leave some info in the comments below!

Now let’s check out what he’s more worried about when it comes to my mouth.

What I’m Doing Wrong

Not flossing enough.

Since I am a grazer I eat continuously between brushings so I had some plaque problems from food between my teeth. In fact after my cleaning, certain parts of my teeth felt so great, in fact, my tongue is now a bit sore from rubbing my clean teeth. I know…weird.

Not brushing behind my wisdom teeth enough.

My wisdom teeth never hurt so I never had them removed… but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to take care of them…which I haven’t. I’ve been ordered to spend 15 seconds back there, brushing each side thoroughly as it’s the perfect place for cavities to form.

Brushing downward, instead of upward.

The older we get the more our gums recede so brushing downward speeds up this terrible process. I never knew that..

More tooth tips from around the web

Although the tips above were specifically for me, there are a number of do’s and dont’s that all of us could learn from.

Avoid staining foods like red wine, coffee and high acid foods like lemon and lime.

Fresh fruit juice although delicious, contains acids that erode enamel. A simple squeeze of lemon or lime in your water on a regular basis plus juice can make your teeth more susceptible over time so be sure to pace it out and drink plenty of water.

Stay away from the sticky

Just like fresh fruit, dried fruit is can be dangerous if not done in moderation. Sticky foods can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food.

Chill out on the ice.

Although it’s just water, chewing on hard substances like ice can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel.

Move away from the meds.

Certain antibiotics (like the ones I took, and stopped taking) can have side effects that may affect tooth enamel. If you see a problem happening with your teeth see your doctor immediately.

Keep your mouth immunity up.

Our digestive tracts begin in the mouth so it only makes sense that the tongue is just as important. The cleaner the body the less likely for things like canker sores and bad breath to happen.

Brush your tongue.

At the end of the day the tongue is the beginning of the digestive system and should be treated accordingly. Invest in a tongue scraper or simply use a small spoon.

Ditch the straw.

Did you know that you should actually never use a straw to sip your smoothie? The motion of “chewing” your smoothie activates enzymes in your salivary glands that aids in digestion.

Plus ditching straws helps to save the tons of turtles and other aquatic life that suffer from our trash, better yet reuse them or invest in a glass straw. Check them out in my Amazon Shop.

The Dental Diet

Dental health is more important than we normally realize, obviously the most important being that we need to chew our food.

If our eyes are a window to the soul, our teeth and gums are a window to our bodies.

Below are a few key foods and nutrients and how they help keep your teeth tip top.

Green Tea

Green tea contains a compound called polyphenol, which research has shown may slow the growth of bacteria associated with both cavities and gum disease. Drinking green tea also helps decrease inflammation, inhibits the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and freshens breath.

Go Raw

Crisp and raw produce like carrots, apples, celery, and bell peppers can clean your teeth by removing food debris that has adhered to the surface of your teeth, plus green leafy vegetables – like kale, spinach, and broccoli. These calcium rich foods help promote strong teeth and bones.

Probiotics

Probiotics may help to decrease gingivitis and plaque; bacteria in fermented foods might suppress the growth of pathogens in the oral cavity.

Cranberries

Cranberries and other plant foods rich in anthocyanins (such as blueberries, red cabbage and raspberries) may prevent pathogens on host tissues (including teeth). Some studies even show that cranberry extract-infused mouthwash improves dental health.

Green Tea

Polyphenols have been known to reduce bacteria and toxic products of bacteria in the mouth. Tea also tends to be rich in fluoride, possibly the most well-known tooth strengthener.

Green tea is rich in antioxidant flavonoids and also has powerful antibacterial properties. It has low acidity and promotes remineralization of tooth enamel, making it a good addition to a diet for promoting oral health. Green tea has a long history of use in Chinese medicine where it had a broad range of uses, in fact, there’s not a lot that green tea isn’t good for. Try using powdered “matcha tea”, which you can add to yogurt or smoothies. It has more antioxidants than normal green tea!

Onions?!?!

Chewing onions for just 2-3 minutes will help to balance the bacteria in your mouth. Russian doctors recommended that eating one raw onion a day will protect you from a host of dental problems.